View XML QR Code

Records of Phi Beta Kappa Washington Alpha Chapter, 1913-2008

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Phi Beta Kappa. Washington Alpha Chapter
Title
Records of Phi Beta Kappa Washington Alpha Chapter
Dates
1913-2008 (inclusive)
1980-2008 (bulk)
Quantity
7.56 cubic feet (19 boxes plus 1 oversize flat file)
Collection Number
Summary
Correspondence, minutes, organizational features, membership records, and other records of the Washington Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a collegiate honor society
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users, but access to portions of the collection is restricted. Contact Special Collections for details.

Some material stored offsite; advance notice required for use.

Request at UW

Languages
English
Return to Top

Historical Note

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest collegiate honor society, founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. The organization serves to recognize achievement in the acquisition of an education in the liberal arts and sciences. The movement to secure a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Washington began in 1907, but it was not until 1914 that the Alpha Chapter (the first chapter in the State of Washington) was established. The membership of the Washington Alpha Chapter comprises those elected as undergraduates by this chapter, and those who were elected by other chapters and are now faculty or staff members at the University of Washington.

Election is based primarily on high scholarship, with an added requirement of a sufficient number of courses outside of the field of specialization. Unlike some chapters, Washington Alpha elects members from those graduating from any college or school of the university, not just the College of Arts and Sciences, if the program of study is judged to be sufficiently broad. In past years, approximately five percent of the class of graduating seniors have been elected to membership.

Return to Top

Content Description

Correspondence, minutes, organizational features, membership records, and other records of Phi Beta Kappa, Washington Alpha Chapter.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized into 3 accessions.

  • Accession No. 5060-001, Records of the Phi Beta Kappa Washington Alpha Chapter, 1913-1999
  • Accession No. 5060-002, Records of the Phi Beta Kappa. Washington Alpha Chapter, 1992-2003
  • Accession No. 5060-003, Phi Beta Kappa, Washington Alpha Chapter records, 1914-2008

Processing Note

Unprocessed.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection